John Boyd Garner, 77, Richmond County businessman and community leader, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He was born on Dec. 23, 1944, in Ghio to Colon Luther Garner and Iona Smith Garner.
He attended Hamlet City Schools, graduating from Hamlet High School in 1963. Rather than attend college on an offer to play football, John went to work for the Seaboard Railroad to help support his widowed mother.
After a few years with the railroad, he went to work for White Packing Company as a salesman. While working there he met and married Kathy, his loving wife and partner of 52 years. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Manning, South Carolina, where John went to work selling for Palmetto Provision Company. Kathy and John lived in Manning for seven years during which time they were blessed with their son, Brent.
In 1978, the family moved back to Hamlet where John opened the iconic Convenience Corner. For 44 years, Richmond County residents have enjoyed the tasty food John served. He might be most famous for his homemade biscuits made fresh every morning. He has since taught a select few how to make them, including his son Brent.
John has always insisted on the very best ingredients used in all Convenience Corner fare served made to order. If you go to work or are up early, you have probably dropped by for gas, a sausage biscuit, and a cup of coffee. Very often a word of wisdom and wit would come with it. Every customer has a favorite item whether it be a sausage dog, chicken salad, vegetable soup, or a hamburger steak. For the past 40 plus years if you wanted to talk to John, he could be found in the kitchen, behind the register, or supervising all the work going on.
Convenience Corner is John Garner! He considered all of his present and former employees family. It will never be known how many of the young people who worked for John during their high school years were sent through college, nursing school, dental school, or a trade school by the generous financial contributions of John. He helped anyone who asked and never spoke a word about it. He was a generous, quiet man who let his life speak for him.
John’s generosity carried over to First Presbyterian Church of Hamlet where he served on the Session as an elder, including chairman for several years. During his time on the Session he was a leading advocate for the Presbyterian Day School. He was a faithful member, there attending regularly as long as he was able to go.
Another love of John’s was Richmond County sports. He was happy to support all programs from the Raider football team down to sponsoring many Parks and Recreation activities. Up until the last two seasons, he could be seen on the top row right under the press box in the reserved section on Friday nights at all Raider home games and traveled with his buddies Tommy Smart, Vance Land and Dale Furr to most away games. John loved all sports, but football was his favorite.
John served the citizens of Richmond County on the Board of Commissioners for 20 years, most of those as vice chairman. He was willing to listen and try to help anyone who had a problem. He also served on the Board of Directors of Sandhills Hospital (formerly Hamlet Hospital), BB&T Bank, as chairman of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, and most notably the Richmond Community College Foundation, where he was honored as Citizen of the Year for his liberal contributions to the advancement of education in Richmond and Scotland counties.
Richmond County law enforcement, fire and rescue, and especially Hamlet Fire and Rescue, had his complete support and gratitude. John was a Mason and a Shriner for over 50 years. He graciously donated to schools, churches, and all community activities. He loved Richmond County and its people of all races and creeds.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Hamlet with Belinda Rice, CLP officiating. The family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. prior the service at the church in the fellowship hall.
In addition to his wife Kathy, John is survived by his son Brent, wife Lesley, and granddaughters Hadley and Sophia all of Hamlet; his niece Karen Garner Borovina(Dan)and sons Daniel and William of Los Alamos, New Mexico; sister and brother-in-law Frances and O.W. Altman, nephew Scott Altman (Tasha), niece Tammie Griffin (Mike) all of Hamlet, nephew Heath Altman of Wilmington; sister and brother-in-law Peggy and Joe Ussery, niece Laura Frye(Scott) all of Rockingham; niece Kelli Garbett (Jared) of Pinehurst; cousin Carroll Garner (Tiz), many other relatives, friends, employees, and his sweet doggie Angel.
John was predeceased by his parents, his brother and sister-in-law Wesley and JoAnn, and nephew Wesley Steven Garner all of Salisbury; uncles Walter and Martin Smith of Hamlet.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Hamlet, 200 Rice St., Hamlet, NC; or Richmond County Hospice 1119 US Hwy. 1 N Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Garner family.
